Just back from Prague

Had another break away, this time to Prague. Lovely city! Been trying to get there for the last three years but other city breaks have always pipped this one to the post!
Anyway, despite flight cancellations and terrorist threats we made it. Our hotel was just off Wencelas Square, which isn't a square but more of a promenade, but perfectly located.

The astronomical clock, in the Old Town, chimes on the hour and twelve apostles pass by the two top windows, attracting crowds by the hundreds. I was a little disappointed that that was all that happened. Anyway the clock tower dates back to the 15th century.

The main bridge across the river is the Charles bridge, of stone construction and very ornate, as well as full of tourists and sellers. Its the one with all of the arches! Sixteen in total.

The architecture was amazing. Alot of the buildings have been given face lifts, with the money generated from joining the EU. Alot of the suburbs are alot less glam.


















The finish appears to be sandblasted plaster - the darker being the rough exposed finish. Must have been stenciled as its so precise?

From Prague castle the views were stunning. I'm not sure if this was a cemetry or a memorial sculpture, as apparently the Czech are buried standing up due to lack of space!

Finally a 'funky' building, called the dancing building.

Can't imagine why? But very innovative!

Art exhibition at Michelham Priory

Following my recent visit to Michelham Priory, I thought I would enter the art exhibition, which starts on the 29th August in the Great Barn. The theme is the Priory and its grounds, so I knocked out a couple of watercolours.

However, on finding out more information you have to pay to register, and then your paintings go up for sale. But with the cost of mounting and framing I felt that my meagre efforts were not worth enough in value to make the whole exercise worthwhile.

So instead, for it not to be a total waste of time, I am posting my own private exhibition!




I think I'll go to the exhibition, to see what the standard is like, and then maybe next year?

A mini trip to Belgium

Popped over to Belgium last week for a few days break (from being on holiday!). It was our first city(ies) break with our 11 year old, Reece. So a test for all. We went to Ghent first which was lovely, stayed there for two nights but popped over to Antwerp for the day, then finished off staying in Brugges, but had a day trip to Ypres.
Considering its so close to home, I can't believe we've never been before, and the cities are so close to each other.
We found Brugges very touristy, and full of tourists, causing large queues, whereas Gent and Antwerp were much quieter.
The architecture was lovely. Some piccys:-


These were taken from a boat trip around Gent.


The Town Hall at Antwerp.

And the tourists of Brugges (excluding ourselves of course!).

Some grassy plants

Went shopping at Coblands a little while ago. Met up with Richard who very kindly showed me around and I was totally seduced by the grasses. They were stunning on mass. I managed to fit as many as I could into my car, with roof up as its terribly turbulent on the back seat, and I would have had to have driven back from Tonbridge at about 15mph!
Anyway I've managed to get them all planted and they look fab!

Stipa gigantea, is so airy and transparent. Excellent to look through, so a good front to middle of the border plant.

Deschampsia cespitosa 'Goldtau' forms a great, dense backdrop, framing my new Cercis canadensis perfectly.

Calamagrotis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' is really linear and its seed heads have seasonal changes.

This one had seeded itself in a pot, but is actually an annual called Hordeum jubatum, and I got it for free (but will save some seeds for Richard!!)